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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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The News Palladium
Benton Harbor, MI
June 11, 1914

              Capt. NAPIER Dead;
                  Was Hero Of Lake
                  
              BODY OF ST. JOSEPH PIONEER
                 FOUND IN BED AT HOME
                    THIS MORNING
                    
         Captain JOSEPH A. NAPIER, 88 years of age, a
      pioneer resident of St. Joseph, an old lake
      captain who had figured in two notable lake
      rescues, is dead. He was found dead in bed this
      morning by his daughter, Mrs. E. F. PLATT.
         Failing rapidly for the past week, the aged
      lake captain expired Wednesday night after he
      had retired. When found this morning his features
      were set in peaceful repose. Death had come and
      claimed him without a struggle.
          
                   HAD NOTABLE CAREER
                   
         A notable lake career was that of Captain
      NAPIER'S. He was born on a farm March 22, 1826,
      near Ashtabula, Ohio. His father was a sailor
      and the son's choice of vocations followed that
      of his sire's. For years he ran his own vessels
      on the lakes.
         The captain was the proud possessor of a gold
      medal given him in 1851 by the Citizens of Chicago
      for the heroic part he played in saving the crew
      of the schooner Merchant during a terrible storm.
      The Merchant was lost.
      
               ESTABLISHED LIFE STATION
               
         It was through Captain NAPIERS efforts that
      the first life saving station, a volunteer organ-
      ization, was established at St. Joseph. It was
      while commanding this volunteer crew in 1877
      that the captain was permanently injured in sav-
      ing the crew of the schooner Williams which was
      wrecked off St. Joseph.
         In 1867 Capt. NAPIER moved to St. Joseph to
      make his home. He purchased 3220 acres of land
      near NAPIER bridge. Later he moved into the city
      and established a home. NAPIER avenue in St.
      Joseph was named in honor of him.
         
              HOLD FUNERAL FRIDAY
              
         The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon
      at 4 o'clock in the chapel of the Baltinger &
      Kingsley morgue in St. Joseph. Services will be
      brief. Capt. STEVENS and members of the St.
      Joseph life saving station will act as bearers.
         Capt. NAPIER is survived by three sisters,
      a daughter, Mrs. PLATT, and C. D. NAPIER of
      St. Joseph.
      
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